Drugs & Alcohol

Drugs & AlcoholRavi Kapoor2023-06-15T11:57:20+00:00

Studies in Ireland, and internationally, have shown higher levels of alcohol misuse among the LGBTQI+ community. Drinking or taking drugs can be done for many reasons. Sometimes it can lower our physical and mental health and make everyday life a bit more of a struggle. Knowing how alcohol and drugs affect us, and learning more about these substances can help keep us safe.

Alcohol
Alcohol is the most widely used party drug. In small doses it can act as stimulant, but in larger doses it acts as a depressant.
Chemsex
The three common drugs used are: Methamphetamine (Crystal, Crystal Meth, Tina, Meth) Mephedrone (meph, drone, M-Cat, Meow-Meow) GHB/GBL (G, Gina, Liquid E)
Poppers
Poppers play a role for some people in the experience of sexual pleasure. We use poppers to enhance pleasure
G / GHB / GBL
G is a drug which can give you a high with small doses and sedation with only slightly higher doses. Taking G can result in feelings of euphoria, reduced inhibitions and drowsiness. G is commonly sold in plastic bottles or containers.
Ketamine
If snorted it can take between 5-15 minutes to kick-in and if swallowed it can take between 15-25 minutes.
Crystal Meth
Methamphetamines, also known as “crystal meth”, is part of the amphetamine family of stimulant drugs.
Cannabis
The effects of cannabis can be feeling chilled out, happy and relaxed. In some cases, it can make you hallucinate so you may see, hear or feel things in a different way to normal.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant which temporarily speeds up the way your mind and body work but the effects are short-lived. Cocaine is more commonly snorted whilst crack cocaine is generally smoked in a pipe.
NPS
Just because a substance is sold as ‘legal’ doesn’t mean that it’s safe or legal.
Safer Injecting
If you are injecting or ‘slamming’ your drugs, it is important to know how to do it in the safest possible way.